08/16/2014

Standing Up for Dino

A Wrentham resident and local culinary legend is facing a daunting medical battle and his friends are trying to help. Richard DiNozzi, a.k.a. “Diz” or “Dino," might be best known in these parts for being an early partner in Norfolk's Eagle Brook Saloon, but for others he is known as a close friend with a big heart. A man whose table, either at home or in his restaurant, was open to everyone. Now he is faced with a diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer. The diagnosis has brought seven months of chemo treatments and added financial stress. “He makes people smile and being with him is fun,” says John McTernan, a lifelong friend. “A rare talent that is his, even while he is sick.”

McTernan and DiNozzi’s friends are trying to raise money to help ease the financial challenges caused by the cancer diagnosis. While DiNozzi has medical insurance, there are significant out of pocket expenses associated with his treatments. He has a $500 co-pay every two weeks for the use of an infusion pump. Many of the prescription drugs have large co-pays, and then there is the expense of travel and parking at hospitals, along with rising heating bills. DiNozzi always feels cold. “Dino has been really anxious and distressed about these rising bills and thinks the only way to pay them would be to sell their house in Wrentham and move while he is still getting chemotherapy,” McTernan says. “The only joys and peace Dino has right now are in his garden and kitchen, and I feel it would be too much burden on him and a terrible time for someone in treatment to have to move.”

To help out, a GoFundMe campaign, The Dino Fund, was started online to raise money to help and according to McTernan, is only fitting since DiNozzi has spent his life helping others. “He has run many fundraisers for other needy folks and has always given back to the community,” he says. “It is hard for him to ask for help, but he needs it now.”

McTernan hopes people will help his friend and donate through the website so "Dino" doesn't have to worry about the bills, stay in his house and focus on fighting the cancer. The two men have known each other “forever” both growing up in Norwood, playing sports and graduating high school together. As adults they were neighbors and were partners in Eagle Brook until DiNozzi left to run his own place, Pelican Seafood in Norton where he ended up meeting his wife. Cooking was seemingly in his genes learning from his grandfather, a ‘black hat’ chef in Italy. “He still makes the best gnocchis and braciole of anyone I know,” McTernan says.

According to McTernan, DiNozzi played an important role in the design of the Eagle Brook Saloon where he cooked rabbit and bison stew and tended bar. For 10 years he cooked at Lewis' and was known for his calamari appetizer with banana peppers. Also you can’t talk about DiNozzi’s cooking without mentioning his pizza with its delicious crust.

For McTernan, it's not right that "Dino" and his wife would have to sell their home while he battles cancer. The two saved for retirement and have health insurance. “It seems wrong to me that someone who has worked all their life and helped others should have to sell their home to pay for uncovered medical costs, even when they have good insurance,” McTernan says. “A move would also be exactly the wrong thing to support a good treatment regiment, where he needs rest and stability, not stress and anxiety.”

As of today, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $6,000 with a goal of $25,000. Over 47 people have donated but more help is needed.

In addition to raising money, friends and family have pitched in to help with transportation and staying with him while his wife does errands. They drop in for short visits to play some cards or share a laugh. “If people can help with donations, to help with medical and living expenses it would help him focus on fighting the cancer, cooking for his grandsons, and growing his garden, rather than worrying about needing to move,” McTernan says.